The San Marcos Art League is the oldest arts organization in San Marcos. Founded in the 1970’s, SMAL obtained non-profit status in 1983. Through the years it has grown into a dynamic organization that currently has over 150 members. In 2017, this website was launched with the purpose of bringing information not only about the Art League, but about the entire arts community, to the public. As an additional outreach, our weekly newsletters reach over 1000 subscribers.

In October of 2019, the Art League reached a milestone and fulfilled a dream by opening the downtown San Marcos Art Center. This beautiful space, located in a historic building on the Square, showcases the talents of our members. It also serves as a special events venue and a space for workshops and artist demonstrations.

The San Marcos Art League produces free workshops and artist demonstrations throughout the year.  These events are always free and open to the public. They are meant to give the community insight and education into the creative process and the businesses that have sprung from the pursuit of a creative life. Attendees are able to meet the artists in person and ask questions.

The Art League hosts many events to fulfill its commitment to bringing the arts into the community.  At the Art Squared Arts Market, each month brings between 30-60 juried vendors to the downtown Square. A free kid's craft table, a featured local non-profit, a special featured artist, and a free supply swap (held three times/year), along with live music are the staples of this long-running market.  The Art League has also connected with the fine arts faculty at San Marcos High School to bring emerging artists into the public eye, and assist them in developing their passion for the arts. We are proud to award annual Fine Arts Scholarships to high school seniors who plan to pursue higher education in the fine arts.

The Art League has developed relationships with other service-oriented organizations. We have partnered with Together For A Cause for a spectacular Diez y Seis event, the City of San Marcos for a grand Veteran’s Day event, the Mermaid Society for the Mermaid Art Market, and the Price Center, Downtown Association, Heritage Association, and Main Street Programs, to name a few.

Over the last four years, the Art League has begun new programs which further our mission of collaboration with other organizations and creating opportunities for fundraising.  Our holiday fundraiser for the Hays County Food Bank garnered over 100 pounds of food and raised almost $1200, and continues to raise enough for thousands to be fed in Hays county every holiday season. In 2020, Art Scared was created as a halloween community event for the local youth where local businesses donate their window space for young artists to create works that display through the first week of November.

All this growth in the art community has created a buzz that reaches far beyond the city limits of San Marcos.  The Art League is very proud of the dynamic growth that we have experienced, and we look forward to continuing the good work far into the future.  We are guided in our enthusiasm and our decisions by the mission statement of the Art League.  We strive to always “Encourage, Foster, Promote and Nurture the Arts in the San Marcos Community.”

Our Mission

To Encourage, Foster, Promote and Nurture the Arts in the San Marcos Community.

What We've Achieved